Shoe holder



Aug. 30, 1950 J. C. HOLLISTER, SR

SHOE HOLDER P. W m 1 m3. H 5 I 2 m 7 m ml w mu .1 a V 6 a w 6 a m 2 61flow a N w j 4 6 W 2 v Q 7/ w M w w 7. EM 5 H l WW I. I

Aug- 195 J. c. HOLLISTER, SR 2,950,496

SHOE HOLDER Filed April 7, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 //v VE/V'TOR JOHNCA/IYTO/V H041. TER, 5R.

ATTORNEYS siren nornnn John Clayton Hollister, Sin, 4683 San SebastianAve., Oakland, Calif.

File-d Apr. 7, 1958, set. No. 725,936

9 Claims. or. -267) This invention generally relates to devices forsupporting and releasably clamping articles, and is more particularlydirected towards such a mechanism specifically utilized for shoes.

As is well known, it is extremely diflicult for a person to shine hisown shoes. If the shoes are on the persons feet, it is practicallyimpossible to apply the proper brushing or bufing required. Conversely,it is just about as diflicult to hold a shoe in one hand and attempt toperform an adequate shining job on the shoe with the other hand.Accordingly, most persons either neglect proper shoe grooming or arerequired to pay others to perform this task. Whfle various home shoepolishing kits have been marketed, none of such units have overcome theinitial problem of supporting the shoe in a convenient manner so thatthe shining operation might be performed.

it is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a deviceadapted to support a shoe during polishing or like operations in whichthe shoe is engaged entirely on the sole thereof, leaving anunobstructed area over and adjacent the sides o f the shoe for movementof a brush, cloth or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the typedescribed in which the shoe is securely though releasably clamped in afixed position, thereby leaving both hands of the user free forperforming the shoe shining operation, and which may be readily adjustedto accommodate a wide range of shoe lengths and widths.

A further object of this invention is to provide a shoe holder as abovedefined which may be readily inserted in and removed from a verticalwall support so as to avoid projection of the device into the room whennot being used.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a shoe holder which maybe economically produced and which is constructed in such a manner as togive substantially indefinite use without servicing or other maintenancedifiiculties.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shoe holder of thecharacter described in which the shoe sole may be easily clamped at twoselected positions along the length thereof with one of the clampingmembers being positioned at a higher elevation than the other clampingmember so as to insure proper shoe retention without deforming thenormal arch portion of the shoe.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some ofwhich, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the followingdescription of the preferred form of the invention which is illustratedin the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. Itis to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by thesaid drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of theinvention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawings:

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Figure 1 is a perspective view of the shoe holder of the presentinvention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view through one of the clamping memberson an enlarged scale and taken substantially at line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a similar crosssectional view taken at line 55 of Figure 3and illustrating the other clamping member.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1, but illustrating amodified form of shoe holder.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional View similar to Figure 4, but illustratinga modified form of clamping mechanism.

As illustrated in Figures 1 through 6 of the drawings, the shoe holderof the present invention generally includes a base portion 12 adapted tosupport a shoe 13, a fixed clamping member 14, a movable clamping member'16, and means 17 permitting ready installation or detachment of thedevice from a vertical wall 18 or the like. Broadly speaking, the sole19 of shoe 13 is adapted to be seated on portion 12 whereby clampingmechanism 14 may engage opposite edge portions of the sole. The heel 21is likewise seated on a longitudinally spaced portion of the base 12with the normally elevated sole portion 22 in the area of the arch ofthe shoe being engaged and secured by the other clamping mechanism 16.It will also be later made clear that at least one of the clampingmembers is adapted for longitudinal movement along the base so as toprovide for shoe sole engagement at selected positions, and bothclamping members are adapted to accommodate a wide range of shoe widths.

For reasons of economy of production and simplicity and strength ofdesign, base portion 12 is preferably formed of a pair of complementarymetal stampings. However, it will be appreciated that other forms ofconstructional techniques could be used, such as molding from a suitableplastic material, cutting angle iron to shape, etc. Each of therespective sections includes what might be termed a vertical flange 26and a horizontal flange 27, and in practice, the vertical flanges 26 aresecured together in any suitable manner whereby the horizontal flanges27 provide a substantially continuous base surface for supporting of theshoe 13. The flanges 26 increase in height from the rear end 30 thereof,and adjacent their front ends are deformed to provide tabs 28 disposedat right angles to the general planes of each of the flanges 26 and 27.The tabs are utilized in providing a releasable attachment of the devicewith the support 17. In'this latter regard, it will be noted that means17 includes a bracket having a Wall 31 adapted to be secured to the wall18 by screws 32 or the like with the vertical edge portions of wall 31deformed to define opposed inwardly extending channels 33 having amaximum spacing therebetween at the upper ends thereof and a lesserspacing at their lower ends. The tabs 23 have a like taper whereby theymay be readily placed into the channels from the upper ends thereof andslid downwardly until firmly wedged in operative position as illustratedin the drawings. This, of course, permits ready removal of the devicefrom the bracket means 17 when not in use, but when operativelyinstalled, the bracket provides a rigid support for the device and theshoe clamped thereto.

The horizontal flanges 27 terminate in spaced relation to the tabs 28and may extend to the rear end 30 of flanges 26. As seen in Figures 1and 2 of the drawings, each flange 27 has a relatively narrow width forthe greater portion of the length thereof with the forward portionthereof having a wider width so as to better accommodate the generallygreater width of the forward sole portion 19 of the shoe 13.

The forward clamping mechanism 14 is positioned substantially centrallyTof thewider portion olffthe, flange 27, and, as previously explained,is adapted to'releasably engage and clamp the sole-1 9 of the shoe fromentirely subjacent the shoe -so' thatihe entirefupper, and side portionsof th e shoe itself are unobstructed and easily accessible for brushing,polishing and the like. As best illustrated in Figures 2,- 3, 4 and 6 ofthe drawings,

clamping mechanism includes a pair of cooperating eleflange 27 by virtueof the lower head of rivet 36. Since the rivet is secured to the flange,the strip 39 is movable laterally of the flange and the outerf end ofthe strip is provided with an upturned lug 41 having an inwardlyextending projection 42. Since the projections 42 on the sides of therespective flanges 27 face each other, it will be appreciated that ifthe strips are caused to move towards each other, the lugs 41 may becaused to engage opposed portions of the shoe sole 19 with theprojections insuring against vertical displacement of the shoe from thebase portion 12. 7

To provide for selective lateral movement of the strips on such baseportion, the vertical flanges 26 are apertured as indicated at 44 toreceive a stud element 46, the latter having a central portion 47 orreduced diametrical size and end portions 48 and 49 havingcontraryrunning threads provided thereon. The respective portions 43 and49 are threadedly engageable with threaded openings provided independing ears 51 extending from the inner end of each strip 39. One ofthe threaded portions is provided with a shank extension 52 by means ofwhich the stud .6 may be rotated to effect opening and closing of theopposed lugs 41. It will be noted that the opening 44 in the verticalflanges 26 is sufiicient to freely pass the threaded portions 48 and 49such as in initially assembling the unit,

Referring now to the rearward clamping mechanism 16, in addition to itsshoe sole engaging function, it has two distinguishing characteristicsover the clamp 14 just described. First, it is capable of longitudinalmovement along the base 12, and secondly, it is positioned'substantially above the level of clamp 14 so that it may engage theraised arch sole portion 22 of the shoe immediately forward of the shoeheel 21.

The foregoing is preferably accomplished in the following manner. As toelevating the clamp, there is provided a horizontal wall 56 disposed inspaced parallel relation to flanges 27 by means of vertical walls 57being suitably slotted at 58 and 59 to receive flanges 26 and 27. Suchslots likewise permit the walls to slide along the base portion 12 fromand towards clamping mechanism 14. Between the vertical walls 57 andabove flanges 27 are strips 61 corresponding to strips 39, and likewisehave slots 62 along their lengths, upturned lugs 63 and inwardprojections 64 at their outer ends, and depending threaded cars 66 attheir inner ends, the latter receiving a double reversed threaded studelement 67. 'Ihe central portion of wall 56 is provided with anapertured depending member 68 through which stud 67 may extend. In thismanner, it will be evident that the lugs 63 and projections 64 arecapableof clamping the arch sole portion of the shoe in the same manneras the lugs 41 engaging the forward sole portion.

From the above description, the operation of the device will be madeclear. The user is only required to open 'the respective clampmechanisms 14 and 16 sufficient so that the shoe 13 may be placed on thebase 12, formed of the complementary flanges'27, with the toe of theshoe facing the bracket 17.- The. clamps may thus be easily tightenedeither manually or with a socket type key and the shoe will then befirmly anchored to the base in position for shining, polishing, etc.,with the entire shoe accessible and unobstructed. Upon completion of thepolishing, the clamps. are released and the shoe easily removed.

Figure 7 illustrates a slightly modified form of shoe holder. In thisembodiment, both ends of the device are capable of insertion into thewall bracket 17 so that either the toe or heel of the shoe faces theuser for more convenient shining. This is accomplished by providing tabs28 at each end of the flanges 26. While brackets are shown on each endof the device, it will be appreciated that this is only for purpose ofillustration, since in practice only a single bracketwould be secured toa wall surface, and the ears 28 at one end or the other of the devicewould be inserted therein. It will also be noted that flanges 27terminate in spaced relation to the rear end cars 28 so as to permitassembly of the raised clamp mechanism 16 onto the base, notwithstandingthe provis ion of the rear ears. Thus, even though the rear ears preventthe mechanism 16 from being installed from the rear end of the unit, thespacing between such ears and the commencement of flanges 27 is such topermit the vertical slots 58 in the walls 57 (such parts correspondingto similarly designatedparts shown in Figure 5) to be seated over theflanges 26, and the mechanism may then be slid forwardly until the slots59 engage the flanges 27.

In Figure 8, in place of the threaded mechanism for moving the clamplugs selectively from and towards each other, I have provided a simplerresilient engagement of the clamp lugs with the shoe sole. While theforward clamp is illustrated, the same construction could be utilized onthe rear clamp as well. As illustrated, clamp strips 71 are slotted at72 to receive a depending rivet 73, and the strip ends have upstandingsole engaging lugs 74 with inward projections 76 at their upper. ends.However, the lugs also have a downwardly extending car 77 dependingbelow the plane of the strips to which are secured the respective endsof a tension spring 78. This spring normally causes the lugs to approacheach other and assume their closest position. I In operation, the usercan force the lugs apart by sliding the shoe sole therebetween, and theaction of the spring will cause the lugs to snugly engage the sole.While this type of clamp does not have the positive locking action ofthe type previously described, it is obviously advantageous from a timeand convenience standpoint.

What is claimed is: i

1. A shoe holder comprising a longitudinally extending base'having aplanar horizontal portion adapted to support the sole of a shoe, a firstclamp member having a pair of opposed shoe sole engaging elementsextending upwardlyfrom opposite sides of said portion, a second clampmember longitudinally spaced from said first clamp memher and having apair of opposed shoe sole engaging elements extending upwardly fromopposite sides of said base portion, means for selectively moving therespective sole engaging elements of each pair transversely of said baseportion together for clamping a shoe sole therebetween and apart forreleasingsuch sole, and one of said clamp members being slidable alongthe length of said base portion whereby the longitudinal spacing betweensaid clamp members may be selectively varied.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1' in which said slidable clamp memberis provided with a horizontally disposed wall adapted to support aportion of a shoe sole positioned above the general plane of said planarhorizontal portion.

3. A device of the character described comprising a base having ahorizontally disposed and longitudinally extending surface adaptedtosupport the sole of a shoe, a first clamp mechanism positionedsubjacent said surface and transversely thereof and including a pair oflugs extending upwardly above said surface on opposite sides thereof,means providing selective transverse movement of said lugs from andtowards each other in unison, a second clamp mechanism including abracket movable along said base and having a wall disposed above saidbase surface, in substantial parallel relationship thereto, a pair ofaligned elements supported on said bracket intermediate said wall andsaid base for transverse unitary movement relative to said base, and apair of lugs extending upwardly above said wall carried on the ends ofthe respective-elements, the lugs in each pair being disposed generallyequidistant from the longitudinal center of said base.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which at least the lugs in oneof the pairs thereof are operatively connected by a spring whereby saidlugs are resiliently urged towards each other.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which at least the lugs in oneof the pairs thereof are operatively carried by a pair of aligned stripelements, a stud having oppositely directed thread portions selectivelyengageable with the respective strip elements whereby stud rotationresults in movement of said lugs selectively towards and away from eachother.

6. A shoe holder comprising a longitudinally extending base having arelatively narrow horizontally disposed upper surface and a verticalflange depending from substantially centrally thereof, said flangeextending beyond one end of said surface and having means thereonadapted for releasable mounting to a wall bracket, a first clampmechanism including a pair of aligned elements positioned subjacent saidsurface on opposite sides of said flange and slidably supported on saidsurface for movement transversely of said base, a second clamp mechanismoperatively mounted on said base and including a pair of alignedelements mounted for transverse movement relative to said base, each ofsaid elements having an upstanding lug extending above said surface, andmeans for moving each pair of said elements and the lugs carried therebyselectively from and towards each other.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 in which said mounting meansincludes a deformed portion of generally T -shaped form in which saidflange provides the central leg thereof.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 in which said second clampmechanism includes a bracket having a top wall and opposed side walls,said side walls having a pair of intersecting slots therein slidablyreceiving the flange and upper surface of said base, said top wall beingspaced above said surface, and said aligned elements being positionedbetween said top wall and said surface and being supported from said topWall for said transverse movement.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which said flange at the endthereof adjacent said second clamp mechanism continues longitudinallybeyond said surface a distance at least equal to the spacing betweensaid side walls and terminates in a deformed bracket engaging portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

